Black History Month

2022 Black History Month Theme

The 2022 theme for Black History Month is: “February and Forever: Celebrating Black History today and every day,” which focuses on recognizing the daily contributions that Black Canadians make to Canada. 

On January 24, 2022 Shelburne Council proclaimed the month of February as Black History Month.  To read the proclamation please read news article Shelburne Council Proclaims February as Black History month. 

Origins of Black History Month

The story of Black History Month begins in September 1915, half a century after the Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery in the United States.

The Harvard-trained historian Carter G. Woodson and the prominent minister Jesse E. Moorland founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH), an organization dedicated to researching and promoting achievements by Black Americans and other peoples of African descent.

In 1926 the (ASALH) sponsored a national Negro History, choosing the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. The event inspired schools and communities nationwide to organize local celebrations, establish history clubs and host performances and lectures.

By the late 1960s, thanks in part to the civil rights movement and a growing awareness of Black identity, "Negro History Week" had evolved into Black History Month.

In 1978, the Ontario Black History Society (OBHS) was established. Its founders, including Dr. Daniel G. Hill and Wilson O. Brooks, presented a petition to the City of Toronto to have February formally proclaimed as Black History Month. In 1979, the first-ever Canadian proclamation was issued by Toronto.

In December 1995, the House of Commons officially recognized February as Black History Month in Canada following a motion introduced by Dr. Augustine. The House of Commons carried the motion unanimously.

Black History in Canada

Black people and their communities have been a part of shaping Canada’s heritage and identity since the early 1600s. Black history in Canada has not been celebrated or highlighted, with little mention of the many sacrifices and contributions made by Black People.

Black History Month is about honouring the enormous contributions that Black people have made, and continue to make, in all sectors of society. Significant events in Black History

Black History in Dufferin County

2022 Pan African Flag Raising Ceremony Shelburne Ontario

2022 Pan African Flag Raising Ceremonies

• February 1 | 10:00 AM - Melancthon Town Hall | 157101 Highway 10, Melancthon
• February 1 | 11:30 AM - MoD | 936029 Airport Rd, Mulmur
• February 1 | 2:00 PM - Town of Mono Office | 347209 Mono Centre Road | Mono
• February 3 | 11:00 AM - County of Dufferin Office |  55 Zina St, Orangeville, ON 
• February 5 | 10:00 AM - Amaranth Town Hall Drive by raising | 374028 6 Line, Laurel
• February 27 | 1:00 PM - Black History Month Panel 'Heroes of the Past, Present and Future' - Museum of Dufferin